Flue-cleaning apparatus



Dec. 11, 1923,A 1,476,854

D. N. TLLEY FLUE CLEANI NG APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Dec. 11, 1923.

D. N. TILLEY FLUE CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Nov.. 5. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet2 Dec. 11 1923. 1,476,854

' D. N. nl LEY `FEDE CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5, 1922 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Illllll l me/nto@ D N. Taba);

Patented Dec. 11, 1,923.

UNITED STATES DEWIT N. TILLEY, OF MOUNT AIRY,INORTH CAROLINA.

ELITE-CLEANING APPARATUS.

Application led November 3, 1922. Serial No. 598,869.

7'0 all who/m, it may concern:

Be it known that I, Dnwrn N. TILLEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Mount Airy, in the county of Surry and State of NorthCarolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFluevCleaning Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning flues bymeans of a sand blast applied on the exterior of the Hue pipes.

The main object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thischaracter in which a pipe is secured at both ends in rev olublc headsand a sand receptacle connected with an air blast is made to travelalong the pipe While the latter is revolving.

Another object of the invention is to construct a device in such amanner that the pipe is easily accessible and can be quickly installedor removed in the apparatus.

Still another object of the invention is to confine the sand blastwithin a small space`- so that the sand will not fly about during theoperation of the device except around the pipe itself and along, acomparatively short length thereof.

For this purposeY the apparatus is con- ;:u structed in the form of askeleton frame, in which a motor is mounted and provided with a suitablegearing connection with the attachments of the pipe as well as thecarrier of the sand receptacle and the hose.

In the accompanying drawings one embodiment of the invention isillustrated, and

Figure 1 is a top plan view and partial section of the apparatus inoperation;

Figure 2 is an end view thereof;

to Figure 3 is an axial section of thel clamping head for the apparatus;

Figure 4 is a transverse section along line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a section along line 5-5 of Figure 6;

Figure 6 is a section along line 6 6 of F igure 1, and

i igure 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a nozzle for the sand blasthose.

In the drawings, reference numeral 10 represents a skeleton frameconstructed of two 'beams 11, placed on a solid foundation 12, such asconcrete or masonry, see Fig ures 1, 2 and 6. These beams, which arepreferably made of channel or H-bars, are rigidly secured by anchorbolts or the like on the base or concrete foundation 12 above which issecured a platform 9 on the beams 11. Upon the platform 9 is mounted amotor 14, here. shown bolted to a bracket 15, which in turn is bolted tothe platform 9. At 16 is indicated a switch or starter for the electricmotor 14, by means of which the motor may be started to revolve in anydirection or stopped, when the apparatus is not intended to be used.

Upon the beams 11 is placed a crown comprising two plates 13 and 17spaced apart by distance bolts 19 and secured to the beams 11 by meansof brackets 20. In the bearing 21, carried by plates 13 and 17, isrevolubly mounted a shaft 23 carrying a spur gear 24 at one end meshingwith the pinion 25 secured on the spindle of the motor 14. In the otherbearings 22 on these plates, is also revolubly mounted a stub sha-ft 26provided with a spur gear 27 and meshing with the same pinion 25 0f themotor The shaft 23, which is threaded along its entire length beyond thecrown plate 17, as at 28, extends to ,the opposite end of the skeletonframe 10 and is threaded in a revolubly mounted bearing 30 furnished inthe second crown 31 of similar construction as the first crown 13, 17.B-y means of a pin 29 the bearing may be locked to the shaft 23 or thecrown 31, suitable apertures 49 being furnished in the latter as well asin the shaft and the bearing for this puropse. This crown 31 is providedwith one ear 32 at each end, slidably engaging the beams 11. In thismanner the crown 31 may be displaced along the beams 11 in accordancewith the different lengths of the flue pipes 33. The pin 29, in thatcase, locking the bearing`30 to the crown 31, while, when the pin locksshaft and bearing together, the latch will revolve with the latter, thecrown then remaining stationary.

By referring to Figures l, 2 and 4 it will be seen that the stub shaft26 carries at its free end a clampingvhead 34 rigidly secured thereon.This head is constructed of an inner and an outer dome-shaped shell 35andl 36 respectively, which are joined together and bolted on the end ofthe shaft 26 as at 37, so that the shaft 26 and the head 34 will alwaysturn together. At the open end of the head 34 is provided a channel 38,which together with the inner and outer domes 35 'and 36 form bearingsin which clamping bolts 39 are slidably but non-revolubly mounted. Forthis reason the inner ends 40 of the bolts 39 are of square or flatcross section, while the outer ends thereof, as at 41 are threaded andengage with correspondingly threaded pinions 42, mounted between thechannel wall 38 and the outer wall 36 of the head. The inner ends 0feach bolt 39 carries a gripping jaw 43 having teeth or serrations on itsinner or concave side, adapted to firmly grip one end of the flue pipe.

Around the head 34 is mounted a clamping wheel 44, which has a ledge 45on its upper side as seen in Figure 3 engaging with a flange 46 rigidlysecured near the channel 38 on the outer wall 36 of the head. This wheelhas a plurality of radial handles 47 by means of which the wheel may beturned around the head 34. On the under side of the wheel 44 is anannular projection provided with gear teeth, as at 48, meshing with thepinions 42. It will thus be seen that by turning the wheel 44 theclamping screws 39 may be made to slide in radial direction, inthismanner adjusting the distance between the jaws 43 in accordance with thediameter of the flue pipe to be cleaned.

The crown A31 is also provided with bearings 50 in alinement with thebearings 22 in the first crown 13, 17 and adapted to revolubly engage asecond stub shaft 51, which is similar in construction to that carriedin the first crownbut has no spur gear 27. On its inner en-d this stubshaft 51 carries, however, a head 52 identical with the first head 34which for this reason is provided with clamping bolts, pinions andclamping wheel as already described in connection with the head 34. i

, At 55, see Figures 5 and 6 is shown a sand receptacle or box, which-isclosed at its upper end by a tight fitting cover 56. At the bottom is anoutlet opening 57 with a suitable cock 58 connecting with a T 59\on theair liose 60, which is suitably connected with a compressed air source.lThe end of the hose 60 carries a nozzle 61, preferably, provided withtwo diverging, flattened branches 62, through which the sand is drivenout by the compressed air against the outer surface of the flue pi e 33when the apparatus is in operation. ack of the nozzle 61 is shown abranch 65 from the air hose, provided with a spraying nozzle 63 for usewhen cleaning the inside of the flue pipes. This spraying nozzle 63 maybe replaced by others of smaller or larger size in accordance with thediameter of the flue pipe. At 64 is indicated a two-way valve fordirecting the blast through the nozzle 61 or the nozzle 63. The sandreceptacle 55 is secured on the bracket 69, which is bolted, or in anyother suitable manner rigidly attached, to

the brace 67. A bracket 66 has a hub, which is threaded and adapted toengage the threads 28 on the shaft 23.

.The bracket 66 is secured upon one of the braces 67, preferably made offlat iron and running slantingly between the beams 11 engaging therewithby means of hooks 68, with which they are provided at their free ends'.These braces support a central drum 70, in which a portion of the fluepipe is enclosed during operation, as best seen in Figures 1, 5, and 6.This drum has Hat ends 71 and 72 and a cylindrical side wall 73connecting the two ends and through which the nozzle 61 enters, as at74. At one place, however, this side wall 73 is broken through to permitthe insertion of the flue `pipe to be cleaned. The width of the openingthus provided is sufiiciently large to admit the largest pipe, for whichthe apparatus is intended. The ends 71 and 72 of thedrum are also cutopen to the same width as the side, as at 75, and a section 76comprising end and side portions is intended to fill the openings thusprovided in thc drum after the pipe has been positioned in theapparatus. In order to secure the section`76 in place, it is providedwith ears 77 corresponding to other ears 78 on the ends 71 and 72 of thedrum, with which it is connected by means of thumb screws 79.

At 80 are shown a pair of radially slidable shutters running in guides81 furnished in the ends 71 and 72 of the drum. These shutters areintended for pipes of smaller diameter so as to completely close up theopening in the drum around the pipe. Clamping bolts 82 are provided forsecuring the shutters in an ad]ustable position. lt will be evident thatthe size of the semi-circular cut 83 furnished at the inner edge of eachshutter, may be varied according to the size of the pipe to be cleaned.Cleaning doors 85 are also furnished for removing sand.

The manner of operation of the apparatus is as follows:

Before inserting the flue pipe in the apparatus the crown `31 is run outto the end of the skeleton frame, the pin 29 locking bearing 30andacrown 31 together. In this position the distance between the head 34and the head 52 is supposed to be sufiicientto admit the longest fluepipe 33 intended to be cleaned'in the apparatus. The drum 70, which atthis time may be positioned anywhere between the two heads 34 and52, butpreferably, near one of them, is then, opened -by removing the section76. It will now be possible to insert the flue pipe 33 sideways throughthe opening of the' drum 70 and to place it with one end in the head 34.By now turning the hand wheel 44 of this head 34 thejaws 43 of theclamping bolts 39 arel made to approach each other and engage onopposite sides of the flue pipe 33 and to secure the same cenrtrally infthe head.

The outer end of the flue pipe 33 is therev upon secured in a similarmanner in the head 52, after the crown 31 has first been shiftedsufliciently for this purpose, and the clamping handles 47 loosened. Theue pipe 33 will thereupon be rigidly secured in axial.

Supposing now, that the drum 0 is situated at the remote end of theapparatus, near the head 52, ythe valves 58 and 64 are then openedpermitting the compressed air to carry the fine sand from the receptacle55 through the nozzle 61v to be thrown against the outer surface of thepi 33. As however, the drum is clamped tightly around this portion ofthe pipe, the flying sand will be enclosed within the drum.

Simultaneously with opening the sand blast, the switch 16 is turned inposition to start the motor 14, which thereupon will revolve the shaft23 together with Vthe bealring 30, to which it is now locked by pin 29.The drum 7() will rthen slide along the' pipe through 4the cooperationof .the threaded portion 28 of the shaft 23 with the hub 66.

A-t the same time the motor also revolves the stub shaft 26 and the head34 thereby turns the fiue pipe against the blast emitted from the nozzle61.

Directly the drum has reached the head 34,'the switch may be turned'inopposite direction Ito reverse the motor 14, when the drum will start totravel in opposite direction along the flue pipe 33, in oase it is foundnecessary to apply a second blast against the pipe.

Ater fthe flue pipe has been .thoroughly cleaned in this manner, thesection 76 is removed from the drum and the sand, now deposited in the'bottom thereof, is taken out, whereupon the pipe can be detached fromthe heads 34 and 52 in a manner that will be' readily understood fromthe foregoing description.

lit will be evident that for a very lar apparatus of this character itmay be a visable to supply two or three screw shafts 23 in order .touniformly distribute rthe weighlt of the drum 70 when passing it alongthe due pine. For this purpose each of such additional. screw shaftsvwould naturally have to be provided with spur gears 2'4 also meshingwith lthe pinion 25 and 'these Screw shafts )to be mounted in the crowns70 and 3l in the same manner as shown with regard to the shaft 23. The.screw shatts would then be placed at the same radial. distancelaline'ment with said rst clamping 'heads and a similar from` the axisof the drum and metrically around the same.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1.. An apparatus of the class described comprising a frame, a clampinghead revolubly mounted at one end of said frame, a second clamping headsimilarly mounted at the other end of the frame and in axial head, adrum slidably mounted in said f rame between said heads and in axialalinement therewith, and means for introducing a blast into said drum.

2. An apparatus of the class described comprising a frame, a clampinghead revolubly mounted at one end of said frame, a second clamping headsimilarly mounted at the other end of the frame and in axial alinementwith said firstl clamping head, a

spaced symdrumslidably mounted in said frame between said heads and inaxial alinement therewith, means for introducing a blast into said drum,and other means for revolving said head. 3. An apparatus of the classdescribed comprising a frame, a clamping head revolubly mounted at oneend of said frame, a a second clamping head similarly mounted at theother end of the frame and in axial alinement with said first clampinghead, a drum slidably mounted in said frame between said heads and inaxial alinement therewith, means for introducing a blast into said drum,other means for revolving said head, and an element actuated by saidother means adapted to axially displace said drum in said frame.

4. An apparatus of the class described comprising a frame, a clampinghead revolubly mounted at one end of said frame, a second clamping headsimilarly mounted at the other end ofthe frame and in axial alinementwith said' first clamping head, a drum slidably mounted in said framebetween said heads and in axial alinement therewith. means forintroducing a blast into said drum, other means for revolving said head,and an element actuated by said other means adapted to axially displacesaid drum in said frame; said other means including aA motor mounted insaid frame a gearing connection between said motor and one oi saidgearing connection with said element. l

5. An apparatus of the class described comprising a lframe, a clampinghead revolubly mounted at one end of said frame, a second clamping headlsimilarly mounted at the other end of the frame and in axial alinementwith said rst clamping head, a drum slidably mounted in said "ramebetween said heads and in axial alinement therewith, means forintroducing a blast into said drum, other means for revolving said inollilli head, and an element actuated by said other means adapted toaxially displace said drum 1n said frame; said frame includinglongitudinal guides, and arms on said drum sup-` the other end of theframe and 1n axial alinement with said first clamping head, a drumslidably mounted in said frame between said heads and in axial`alinement therewith, means for introducing a blast into said drum,other means Jior revolving said head, and an element actuated by saidother means adapted to axially displace said drum in said frame; saidframe including longitudinal guides; arms on said drum supported on saidguides, said element having'positive driving connection with said arms;said iirst means including a sand receptacle mounted on said arms, anozzle opening into said drum and having a suitable connection with saidsand receptacle and with a source of compressed 3.11.

7. An apparatus of the class described comprising a frame, a clampinghead revolubly mounted at one end of said frame, a

second clamping head similarly mounted at the other end of the frame andin axial alinement with said iirst clampin head, a drum slidably mountedin said rame between said heads and in axial alinement therewith, andmeans for introducing a blast into said drum; each of the clamping headscomprising a dome-shaped member, radial clamping bolts, slidably butnon-revolubly mounted in said dome-shaped member, pinions havingthreaded engagement with said clampino* bolts and a hand wheel meshingwith said pinions and mounted to revolve on said dome-shaped member,said clamping bolts being provided with gripping jaws at their ends. A

8. An apparatus of the class' described comprising a frame, a clampinghead revolubly mounted at one end of said frame, a second clamping headsimilarly mounted at the other end of the frame and in axial alinementwith said irst clamping head, a drum slidably mounted in said framebetween said heads and in axial alinement therewith, and means forintroducing a blast into said drum, said drum having a side opening anda suitable closing member for said opening.

9. An apparatus of the class described comprising a frame, a clampinghead revolubly mounted at one end of said frame, a second clamping'headsimilarlymounted at the other end of the frame and in axial alinementwith said irst clamping head, a drum slidably mounted in said framebetween said heads and in axial alinement therewith, and meansforintroducingablast into said drum, said drum having a side opening anda suitable closing member for said opening; each of said clamping headscomprising a domeshaped member, radial clamping bolts slidably butnon-revolubly mounted in said dome-shaped member, pinions havingthreaded engagement with said clamping bolts and a hand wheel meshingwith said pinions and mounted tol revolve on said dome,

said clamping bolts being provided with gripping jaws at their ends.

10. An apparatus of the class described comprising a base, longitudinalrunners anchored on said base, a supportinfr member rigidly secured atone end of said base, a second supporting member slidably mounted uponsaid runners, a clamping head on each of said members and revolublymounted therein, a drum slidably mounted upon the said runners betweensaid clamping heads and in axial alinement therewith, said clampingheads and said drum being adapted to carry a pipe to be cleaned, meansfor introducing a blast into said drum and other means displacing saiddrum in axial direction between said heads while simultaneouslyrevolving the latter.

In testimon whereof I aiiix my signature.

D lWIT N. TILLEY. [L. s]

